Psychology

Psychology is the study of people through an examination of their thoughts, emotions, and behavior. MiraCosta's Psychology program has a biological and physiological emphasis. Students are introduced to the science of psychology, including systematic research and analysis. They learn how to follow the principles of the scientific method and how to write using American Psychological Association (APA) style. The psychology discipline provides the tools to gather data efficiently and skillfully and to examine the nature of human behavior. Students may take courses to prepare for a psychology major or to fulfill general education requirements.

Contact Information

Full-Time Faculty

Krista Byrd
Steve Eso
Lisa Fast

Robert Kelley
David McField

Associate Degrees

Associate in Arts Degree

Psychology

The Psychology program offers lower-division preparation for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The primary focus of the program is to prepare students for transfer to four-year psychology programs. With a bachelor’s degree, career options include business, state and local government agencies, and health care. A graduate degree is required for counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, school psychology, clinical psychology.

Note: Many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements that are specific to their institutions. Psychology transfer students should also consider the Liberal Arts with an Area of Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences degree. For further information and assistance, students should consult the website, www.assist.org, the individual university catalog and a MiraCosta College counselor.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to develop a study on a psychological topic, which includes a literature review, forming a hypothesis, creating a research design appropriate to the hypothesis, consideration of ethical issues, choosing appropriate statistics for data analysis, and summarizing research findings, using APA style.

Associate in Arts Degree

Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer Degree

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a psychology degree, an emphasis or option within a psychology degree, or a degree considered similar to psychology at a participating California State University (CSU) campus. Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses accepting this degree may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a non-participating CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a psychology major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

To complete the degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) CSU transferable units.

Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or better.

Complete the CSU-GE or CSU-IGETC* general education pattern.

Achieve a minimum CSU transferable GPA of 2.0.

Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.

*Students completing UC-IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they will not meet CSU admission requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to develop a study on a psychological topic, which includes a literature review, forming a hypothesis, creating a research design appropriate to the hypothesis, consideration of ethical issues, choosing appropriate statistics for data analysis, and summarizing research findings, using APA style.

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the CSU-GE or CSU-IGETC general education pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a general education requirement.

**

Course is required major preparation at CSU San Marcos (CSUSM). Students planning to transfer to CSUSM are advised to select these courses to complete this degree. For more information on this major at CSUSM, please refer to the articulation agreement at ASSIST.ORG.

NOTE: Students are strongly advised to select courses that meet lower-division major preparation requirements at their transfer university and to complete the History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement prior to transfer.

Associate in Arts Degree

Human Development

Human development is the study of people’s lives from conception to death. The Human Development program offers lower-division preparation for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The primary focus of the program is to prepare students for transfer to four-year human development programs. With a bachelor’s degree, career options include working with people from all ages, ethnic, cultural, and/or socioeconomic backgrounds in areas such as health, education, community and state (public and private) agencies, business, and religious and secular organizations.

Note: Many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements that are specific to their institutions. For greater flexibility to meet preparation-for-major, human development transfer students should also consider the Liberal Arts with an Area of Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences degree. For further information and assistance, students should consult www.assist.org, the individual university catalog, and a MiraCosta College counselor.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to apply knowledge of developmental theories, norms, and cultural influences to demonstrate a critical understanding of a person's development.

Certificates

Certificate of Proficiency

Research Fundamentals

This certificate emphasizes the skills needed to interpret research data and conduct basic research in accordance with the procedures and methods of behavioral science. The certificate is designed for individuals interested in learning research skills and for those who need assistance in improving these skills for their work.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to construct a testable hypothesis and examine it using appropriate research methodologies.

Certificate of Proficiency

Volunteer Services

This certificate offers students core courses in behavioral science combined with at least one behavioral science course that offers service learning. The academic courses provide a fundamental understanding of human behavior. A course that includes service learning requires volunteering in the community combined with written reflection on the volunteer experience. This certificate emphasizes working directly with people in need within the service-learning tradition, and it integrates academics with practice. This certificate can enrich the service of experienced volunteers, guide those interested in volunteering for the first time and transfer students interested in teaching and social service agency work, and provide early experience in public service. Students need to contact the Service Learning Office for information about instructors in behavioral science who offer service learning. In addition, students must provide verification of their volunteer participation through the Service Learning Office to earn the certificate.

Program Student Learning Outcome Statement:

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to explain the importance of volunteering in the community from a behavioral sciences perspective.

Courses

This course introduces the principles of human behavior with a combined emphasis on the scientific method, personal growth, and the application of psychology to everyday life. Topics include adjustment, personality, friendship and intimate relationships, human sexuality, the self, psychological disorders and psychotherapy, and health psychology. The course emphasizes the scientific basis of psychological knowledge and the application of such knowledge to achieve personal growth. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit if taken after PSYC 101. C-ID PSY-115.

This introductory course focuses on the major theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological basis of behavior, perception, cognition, consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, and psychological disorders. The course will also explore therapeutic approaches and the use of applied psychology in contemporary society. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for PSYC 101 or PSYC 101H. C-ID PSY-110.

This introductory course focuses on the major theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological basis of behavior, perception, cognition, consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, and psychological disorders. The course will also explore therapeutic approaches and the use of applied psychology in contemporary society. As an honors course, it provides an enhanced experience for motivated students through advanced course work and reading materials, enriched analysis and discussion of psychological topics, special attention to science in psychology, and refinement of critical thinking skills. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for PSYC 101 or PSYC 101H. C-ID PSY-110.

Social psychology examines the influence that society, contexts, groups, and others have on individuals. This course emphasizes the sociological and psychological factors in socialization, self-concept, interpersonal relationships, and group dynamics. The course pays special attention to social cognition, attitudes, social influence, language, and cross-cultural differences in social psychology. C-ID PSY-170.

This course introduces psychological disorders and their diagnosis, causes, and treatments. Topics include anxiety, mood, personality, eating, sexual, gender identity, psychotic, and substance-related disorders. Students examine the causes and treatments of disorders based on scientific research.

This course examines human sexuality from three perspectives--the biological, the psychological, and the social--and is applicable to students of all majors. The biological topics include sexual anatomy, the sexual response cycle, sexual behaviors, sexual dysfunctions, pregnancy, birth control, and prenatal development. The psychological topics include attraction, communication, intimacy, and love. The social topics include gender, the law, morality, sexual educational, and ethical issues. C-ID PSY-130.

This course examines the psychological and physical development of the individual from conception through childhood, adolescence, and maturity. It covers major theories of intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development and explores cultural differences in development. The course emphasizes the interdependence of various periods of the individual's life and considers scientific methods, behavioral disorders, death, and spirituality. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for CHLD 112, CHLD 113, or PSYC 121. C-ID PSY-180.

This course examines psychological and feminist theories of women's development across the lifespan. It includes biological and cultural factors that shape and define women’s daily experience. Students study the influences of sexism, socialization, sexuality, personal relationships, health, education, employment, aging, and violence against women in relationship to their impact on women's self-concept, attitudes, relationships, achievements, and overall well-being. The course also explores cross-cultural assessment of gender and the current state of women’s rights within the world.

This course examines the family as a social institution and applies sociological and psychological theories and concepts to couples, intimate relationships, marriage, and families. These theories and concepts provide frameworks for examining love, sexuality, and commitment and for identifying problems and adjustments for couples and family relationships. The course also studies changing models of the family, historical perspectives, cross-cultural comparisons, and the influences of changes in contemporary society affecting family life. Among the topics covered are partner selection, becoming parents, communication, family and work, family crises, divorce, aging, and issues linked to social class and living in a diverse society. C-ID SOCI-130.

This course explores normal and abnormal characteristics of aging on physical, cognitive, personality, and mental health processes as they occur in late adulthood. Topics include marriage, family and friends, intergenerational issues, and intimacy and sexuality. It probes late-adult transitions, such as retirement and widowhood, and end-of-life issues.

This course emphasizes an appreciation of the scientific method, the development of research skills, knowledge of research ethics, and the evaluation of scientific research. It focuses on research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data. Students conduct library research, design and implement research projects using appropriate methodologies and controls, analyze and interpret data using the SPSS statistical computer program, and write research reports using the APA format. In laboratory sessions, students conduct experimental and non-experimental research in a variety of areas of psychology. Students with MATH 103 may take PSYC 104/SOC 104 or PSYC 104H/SOC 104H concurrently with Research Methods. C-ID PSY-200.

This course surveys the principles of learning and the research applications of behavior modification. Topics include the historical origins of learning theory; classical and operant conditioning; cognitive aspects of complex learning tasks; and biological factors in learning. The course also covers the principles of behavior modification, including reinforcement and punishment, schedules of reinforcement, and applications of behavior modification in an educational environment.

This course introduces the biological basis of behavior. Students gain an appreciation of how the human brain creates a perception of the physical world, develop the ability to critically evaluate research in biological psychology, and understand the biological mechanisms that underlie psychological phenomena. Topics include research in biological psychology, anatomy of the nervous system, development of the nervous system, neurons and action potential, communication at the synapse, effects of psychoactive drugs, sensory systems, motivation and emotion, sleep/wake cycles, learning and memory, lateralization and language, and the biological basis of psychopathology. C-ID PSY-150.

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Psychology that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.

Cooperative Work Experience is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.